Heron

Belter that man <3 Means a massive amount to their parents too - I am sure.

Thing is cities and suburbs expand and grow so, really so should definition. I don't suspect anyone calls themselves anything other than a Geordie if they're from anywhere within about a 5 to 10mile radius of Newcastle North of the Tyne and South of the Tyne probably about 4 or 5miles.

Italy looked void of attacking focus and direction and susceptible to defensive mistakes. However, have a very competent midfield 5. France were good from set plays and are generally a good side capable of pulling apart sides on their day. With Thuram they have exactly what Italy don't.

Seems a bit harsh tbh. Italy seem to lack from having a real quality striker and a focal point for me. Tonali wasn't so much 'anonymous' it was more that Italy lacked direction. It was back and sideways and no one looking to commit defenders. Retegui did little up top versus the likes of Thuram who was quite the opposite for France and was a bit of a handful. Tonali was the man linking passes from defence to the more attacking members of midfield for the most part but that was the extent of their game.

Absolutely. FWIW I agree with much you've said. I just get frustrated that folk seem desperate to make the most of Longstaffs limitations but unwilling to praise his abilities. It is okay to be wrong or to change your opinion, just as I have with Hall (in that thread). Either way, if we keep winning then I am happy. FWI(also)W I actually love Tonali - I was singing his song in Bergamo airport this morning

It's the attitude that some folk semeingly take to both players. We are winning games and playing well to a man. So no need to change it unless it's strategical. It's that simple. We aren't in a position to do so at present. So I'd prefer we stick with getting results than playing a player to appease a cross section of fans. When Tonali Starts, we perform and we get a result Tonali will remain. Of that I am sure. Howe knows better than any person on here - myself included.

AssisTino

Scores for the 3 Lions.

We will see if you're right when that time comes rhay they're utilised in such a way. You most likely will be. However, the fact Longstaff has started games and we have got results and you seemingly think this is folk choosing to ignore some sort of obvious that is theoretical and not statistically based isn't right. Howe, at a time when we were 12th(ish) has based his side selection on what has worked previously and has been proven correct. Now folk want to have Tonali in the side because he scored in a different competition, playing in a different system and in a different side just because they like him more as a player. You are right though - Howe knows what he is doing - and he is making the difficult decision some folk don't like and keeping "local clogger" Sean Longstaff in the first 11 over "Prime Iniesta" because actually that's what's got him results recently and ultimately more time when some folk were edging towards his sacking in recent weeks (online). Let's face it "Prime Iniesta" can make a better impact when he comes on too that can change a game. Can guarantee folk would be happy to use the same stats in Tonalis favour if the shoe were on the other foot. They simply want to call them nonsense cause it doesn’t suit their "Longstaff is shite" agenda.

That's right, but at present our league position is very precarious ans Howe is doing what is getting him results AND performances. Folk complaining that certain stats and facts and figures and what not are being used simply to shoe-horn a better player in the side that presently - we're trying to understand how he best fits or the system that best fits him. Why would we continue down that though when we are say 12th and not getting results? Folk are just desperate to have the better player in and not the best team (for now) purely cause they don't like/rate Longstaff and do like/rate Tonali and rightly - folknare saying "we need points irrespective of which players play". We have been finding said points by starting the whole 11s we have been recently.

We may have done. We may also not have done. We won't ever know.

Rightly so. Hall wasn't ready defensively.

Funny that isn't it. Howe knows best...

They're not meaningless. They tell some of the story. I'm not a statto either but I care about Newcastle winning over Tonali starting. If that means we use him to make the impact which he is capable of over Longstaff whom I suspect we'd all argue isn't as capable of, then I back Howe's decision and at present that is to start Sean Longstaff.

We can if we win games...

But he did, and we won the next game. So was Howe wrong?

Unfair or not. We're here to win games...

Why do this when we're winning and finally finding performances and results though? This time will come. When Longstaff (or Bruno) don't perform and Howe rightly makes the switch.

It's funny though - I can just see the scenario whereby we continue to start Tonali and for - whatever reason - we don't get results. Fans turn to Howe - "He cannot find a system for his best players", "he is incapable of managing big names and egos", etc. etc. He does that and gets results and folk then complain the better and favourite players don't start. Last time I checked we support Newcastle United and not Sandro Tonali...

I think the issue here is the perception that Tonali (to some) is seemingly untouchable and wonderful and Longstaff is the devil reincarnated despite doing far more in his role at NUFC than Tonali (to date). I could be wrong - but don't think I've seen one person (myself included) argue Longstaff is the better player. Only the suggestion that we pick up results when Longstaff Starts which is absolutely accurate. Now, folk arent saying we have won more points with Barnes on the pitch than Gordon or nowt are they - to my knowledge. I think its somewhat accepted that Barnes is a great impact player for us (off the bench). You could apply the same theory to Tonali (theoretically) albeit the difference is Gordon is arguably better than the benched option and in the other instance the benched player is the better of the two. As I've previously said - they (Longstaff and Tonali) can coexist though. You have a squad and not a first 11 for that very reason. Different players and qualities and systems to break down the opposition or simply contain them. They can both be good for NUFC in different roles and systems. Naturally Howe has found this for Longstaff but needs time to understand how Tonali 'fits' best which may be an evolution of our play and system. Hopefully it is as we should be looking to continuously improve as should any successful business. However, there is a lot to be said for stability. We're picking up (much needed!!) points in a tight league at present following some degree of rotation and tinkering. Now folk seemingly want to risk that for the sake of squeezing a better player in the first 11. Frankly, I find that mad.

He's worth £81m. Howay.

Of course you can compare them - just the incessant desire to downplay Sean Longstaff is absolutely tiresome. There appears to be folk who had their concerns about Longstaff starting ahead of Tonali who are now saying "Yeah - we are performing and so is Longstaff and we're getting wins". Hats off to these folk for not being so stubborn and set in their ways. There are others absolutely hell bent on him being dropped for Tonali - who is clearly a more talented footballer but to date hasn't quite connected in the existing system and roles deployed. That's not to say he is a bad signing, doesn't fit our system or anything. It will take time and work with him to fine tune the maximum we can get out of him. After a prolonged period of time then perhaps he is a bad singing but he's only had like 10/15games for us and not even full games. I'm positive we can get the best out of him - whether that be in the existing system or an alternative/evolution of it. FWIW - at the start of the season I identified Hall as being our defensive weak link - he's now solid as a rock. I just never understand this position folk seem to have that their opinion is 'locked in'. Suppose it would absolutely make sense for us to start a side that isn't getting results versus a one that is...wouldn't it...

I really hope there was a football pitch sized spirit level used to verify this as I immediately imagined.